…But why? Women are Inferior! By: Cynthia Angeles Noe Araiza Berenice Lopez Diana Ortiz Women are Inferior! …But why?

Feminist Criticism Definition: A type of literary criticism, which was developed in the late 1960s focusing on the role of women in literature.

Actions speak louder than words In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, females are portrayed as being weak, submissive, and incapable of ration or reason. However this misogyny is not solely driven by a biased opinion of Shakespeare, but rather is a composition of societal and religious beliefs shared by his predecessors.

Weakness is a gift; it takes a woman to do it right. Ophelia’s actions and interactions with others convey her as being weak and submissive. Act 1 Scene 3: Ophelia complies with the demands of her brother and father. She does not argue against Laertes’ warnings of Hamlets’ “affections”, but instead assures him that he “shall keep the key” of her memory. When Ophelia claims Hamlet loves her, Polonius replies with “Affection? Pooh!...Do you believe his tenders as you call them?” Rather than justify her claim, she willfully accepts the insult and responds with “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.”

...Continued Act IV Scene VII Act IV Scene V Though it is not explicitly stated, it is implied that Ophelia commits suicide by drowning herself. After losing her father, and Hamlet going mad, Ophelia shifts into insanity. She has lost the two rocks by which she stood, and in turn falls. This act exemplifies her weakness and pliability; Weakness in that she breaks after so much loss, and pliability, in that she allows the world and her situation to shape her actions. Act IV Scene V After she is informed of her father’s death, Ophelia is portrayed as being in a mad state of mind. Ophelia hands flowers to the King and Queen; each flower symbolizes an insult. Her weakness is expressed through her passive-aggressive nature. She does directly insult the King and Queen as this would require confrontation. Instead she avoids the situation in total, and merely hands them a flower.

Ophelia’s suicide

Gertrude, just as Ophelia, is dependent on men Gertrude, just as Ophelia, is dependent on men. She acts irrationally and ultimately takes her own life. After the death of King Hamlet, Gertrude is quick to remarry. Her hasty marriage expresses her dependence on men. Within a month of mourning she is wed again, and, “with such dexterity to incestuous sheets.” On several occasions King Claudius degrades her, and without argument she accepts the insults. In one case Claudius states “my crown, mine own ambition, and my Queen”, not only objectifying Gertrude, but also placing her third in his hierarchy of needs.

…Continued In the closet scene Hamlet confronts his mother about her marrying Claudius despite his sinful actions. She does not argue, but instead plays the victim. This lack of courage in the face of danger is an expression of her weakness. In Act V Scene II, Gertrude drinks of the poisoned cup prepared by Claudius for Hamlet. She may have done so as to prove Claudius guilty of treason, however her noble act of courage, in reality proved to be her downfall, and illogical as well.

But why? The question is not why, but more so, WHAT? As mentioned, Shakespeare’s will is not to blame for his portrayal of females. The question is not why, but more so, WHAT? What could have possibly influenced his perception of females? What was the status quo of the time? What led him to create such two dimensional characters? And a complementary of the two, what was the premise behind females being inferior, and why was it so prevalent throughout time?

What could have influenced Shakespeare's’ perception of females What could have influenced Shakespeare's’ perception of females?/ What was the status quo of his time? Shakespeare wrote and was raised within the time of the Elizabethan era. The Era itself influenced his perception significantly. At this time women were raised believing themselves to be inferior to men. It was custom, and religious based. A females disobedience was seen as a crime against their religion.

…Continued The common mindset of the time was, as the Scottish protestant leader John Knox wrote, “Women in her greatest perfection was made to serve and obey man.” Females of the time were ultimately viewed as “others” being prohibited from numerous activities and events, even what are now considered rights, for the simple reason of being female. Queen Elizabeth herself acknowledged this principle, not avoiding marriage to state her independence, but to avoid selling herself into slavery.

…still continued Females of noble families were presented with the opportunity to receive an education, however, females were not allowed in universities. Despite not being accepted into universities, some females were sent away to further their education. Shakespeare was engrossed in a world of female subordination, and therefore, was inevitably by human nature, bound to be influenced by his surroundings. His works played to all divisions of crowds, both the wise, and the foolish. All understood the place of females. Suggesting a female could have some self-worth, value beyond that of a possession, could potentially result in his execution, and therefore the butchery of a female character, is well justified.

What was the premise behind females being inferior to men, and why was this belief so prevalent throughout time? Religion The two major religions of the time were Catholic and Protestant. Both of which are denominations of Christianity. In the Christian belief, MAN was made in GOD’s image, and from man’s rib was made woman. “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.”(1 Corinthians Chapter 11 Verse 9) Religion has been a major influence throughout civilization, and society.

Religion and Marriage

Shakespeare, inside and out. Shakespeare is not to blame for his portrayal of females. Society pressured him to do what he did. The subordination of females portrayed by Shakespeare was the tip of an iceberg, long developed before his time. Western religions along with some Eastern religions implicitly state the inferiority of women. Ultimately many are to blame for the unfair treatment of females, along with all forms of mistreatment, however it is choice which breaks the manacles of society.

Bibliography www.shmoop.com/hamlet/gender-quotes.html http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/_and_Ophelia_-_Strong_or_Weak%3FRevision:Hamlet_-_Gertrude http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-women.htm http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/11-9.htm